Identification of a cis-sex chromosome transition in banded geckos (Coleonyx, Eublepharidae, Gekkota)

Abstract

Sex-determination systems are highly variable amongst vertebrate groups, and the prevalence of genomic data has greatly expanded our knowledge of how diverse some groups truly are. Gecko lizards are known to possess a variety of sex-determination systems, and each new study increases our knowledge of this diversity. Here, we used RADseq to identify male-specific markers in the banded gecko Coleonyx brevis, indicating this species has a XX/XY sex-determination system. Furthermore, we show that these sex-linked regions are not homologous to the XX/XY sex chromosomes of two related Coleonyx species, C. elegans and C. mitratus, suggesting that a cis-sex chromosome turnover—a change in sex chromosomes without a concomitant change in heterogamety—has occurred within the genus. These findings demonstrate the utility of genome-scale data to uncover novel sex chromosomes and further highlight the diversity of gecko sex chromosomes.